Preventive Health Behavior and Osteoporosis Prediction among Perimenopausal Women

Abstract

Background: Osteoporosis prevention at perimenpauseal period is crucial to diminish the riskof the disease and its complication in later years of life. Having good osteoporosis knowledgeand positive health belief may lead to better preventive behavior which then contributes to buildand maintain bone health throughout life. Aim of the study was to assess preventive healthbehavior and osteoporosis prediction among perimenopausal women. Study design:An analytical cross-sectional study was used. Setting: The current study was conducted atobstetrics and gynecologic clinic at the Zagazig university hospital's outpatient clinic. Samplesize: A purposive of 153 women with inclusion criteria of per-menopausal women age rangedbetween 35- 45 years. Five tools were used to collect the necessary data: an interviewquestionnaire Osteoporosis Knowledge Assessment, Osteoporosis Health Belief ScaleOsteoporosis prevention behaviors Physiological measurement tool for the prediction ofosteoporosis. Based on the present study Results 31.8% of study subject have osteopenia and5.9% have osteoporosis, 21.3 % of the studied women had satisfactory level of total knowledge,59.1% of study subjects had positive attitude and 59.1% had low level of preventative healthbehavior. Conclusion and recommendation: More than one third of study participants haveosteopenia and less than ten percent have osteoporosis and more than half had low levels ofpreventative health behavior. The need for enhancement of the knowledge, attitudes, andosteoporosis protective behaviors of women in early age especially perimenopausal period.Emphasize the importance of routine measurement of BMD and serum calcium level every yearfor all pre and postmenopausal women.